Panama meets South Korea with eyes on Knockout Round in FIFA U-20 World Cup | OneFootball

MIAMI – The FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025 continues on Friday, as Concacaf nation Panama faces Korea Republic in Group B at Estadio Elías Figueroa Brander in Valparaíso, Chile.

Panama earned its first point of the campaign with a 1-1 draw against the Ukraine. The Central American nation enters as the third place in its group and seeks to earn a berth to the Round of 16, with a top two finish or as one of the four best third place teams overall.

Gustavo Herrera scored the equalizer for Panama against the Ukraine. Martín Krug and Giovany Herbert struck the goals in Panama’s 3-2 loss against Paraguay on the opening day of the tournament.

Panama against Asian teams in FIFA U-20 World Cups

This will be the first-ever encounter between these two nations in FIFA U-20 World Cup history.

However, it will mark Panama’s fifth match against an opponent from Asia in the tournament’s history.

·       December 1, 2003 – UAE 2003, MD2 Group A

Panama faced host nation United Arab Emirates, falling 1-2.

The goals for the Emiratis came from Shebad Ahmed (18’) and Saleh Hamad (80’), while Armando Gun (36’) scored for the Central Americans.

·       June 17, 2005 – Netherlands 2005, MD3 Group B

Panama squared off against China, suffering a 1-4 defeat.

The Chinese goals came courtesy of Zhou Haibin (6’), Gao Lin (40’), Hao Junmin (51’) and Lu Lin (78’). José Venegas (37’) provided Panama’s lone goal.

·       June 30, 2007 – Canada 2007, MD2 Group E

After two straight losses, Panama earned its first point by drawing 0-0 with North Korea.

·       May 31, 2019 – Poland 2019, MD3 Group E

Panama celebrated its only victory against an Asian side to date, defeating Saudi Arabia 2-1.

Axel McKenzie (7’) and Diego Valanta (78’) scored for the Panamanians, while Firas Al-Buraikan (53’) netted for the Saudis.

Historical record – Panama vs Asian teams

·       4 matches played

·       1 Panama win (4 goals scored)

·       1 draw

·       2 wins for Asian teams (7 goals scored)